The Orphan Queen
By: Jodi Meadows
Release Date: March 10th 2015
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Format: Print ARC
Source: Publisher
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.
My Rating:
Summary:
Wilhelmina has a hundred identities.
She is a princess. When the Indigo Kingdom conquered her homeland, Wilhelmina and other orphaned children of nobility were taken to Skyvale, the Indigo Kingdom’s capital. Ten years later, they are the Ospreys, experts at stealth and theft. With them, Wilhelmina means to take back her throne.
She is a spy. Wil and her best friend, Melanie, infiltrate Skyvale Palace to study their foes. They assume the identities of nobles from a wraith-fallen kingdom, but enemies fill the palace, and Melanie’s behavior grows suspicious. With Osprey missions becoming increasingly dangerous and their leader more unstable, Wil can’t trust anyone.
She is a threat. Wraith is the toxic by-product of magic, and for a century using magic has been forbidden. Still the wraith pours across the continent, reshaping the land and animals into fresh horrors. Soon it will reach the Indigo Kingdom. Wilhelmina’s magic might be the key to stopping the wraith, but if the vigilante Black Knife discovers Wil’s magic, she will vanish like all the others
Jodi Meadows introduces a vivid new fantasy full of intrigue, romance, dangerous magic, and one girl’s battle to reclaim her place in the world.
My Thoughts:
Overall I thought The Orphan Queen was an entertaining read though I would consider on the lighter end of the fantasy side. The aspects I felt the book excelled at was the magic system Meadows created. Using magic in this world left remnants called Wraith that was thought to be destructive. I loved that as it spread across the land it was like a virus destroying and reshaping the life it touched.
I felt that the characters lacked a little something for me though I’m not sure exactly what. I had trouble truly connecting to any of them on a deep level. Even so I did enjoy the action scenes and storyline. I really loved that Meadows gave her main character, Wilhelmina, the skill of calligraphy and forging documents. I thought this was a nice, unique touch for a young adult fantasy that I’ve not seen used before. I thought that her loyalty and protective nature for the Ospreys was realistic and made her likeable.
Black Knife’s character felt a tad ‘done before’ but he was still a fun character that provided a nice touch to the story and presented some nice interactions between him and Wil.
I felt that some of the twists were pretty obvious and I’m not honestly sure they were really supposed to be that surprising. I did enjoy that Wil lived in the Palace of her enemy and had to interact with him on a daily basis. I thought her ability to see his better points was an interesting touch.
Fair warning the ending was evil to the extreme-be sure to prepare yourself for a cliff hanger.
Final Thoughts:
I enjoyed Meadows foray into fantasy and felt that her use of magic had vast potential and created some interesting moments. I felt a slight disconnect from the characters that in some ways impeded my compete enjoyment of the story though it was well worth the read.
It sounds like this was at least good enough to make you want to read the next book?
I was so excited for this book initially, but my enthusiasm has dwindled as I read ho-hum reviews. I’m surprised this isn’t better; her first series was so good.
Yes! I’ll be reading the next book for sure. I ever read her first series so this was my first of Jodi’s to read. I did enjoy it and hope you do enjoy it!
Now, I’m really interested to see how this magic system works! I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it more, but I know that when the connection with the characters is missing, it kinda ruins the feel of the book. However, I still can’t wait to read the book, I hope I’ll have more luck with the characters though.
The magic system was interesting though it could have used a tiny bit more detail. I expect that in the next book though. I hope you connect to the characters.
The magic system sounds intriguing, but a lot of what you have to say on The Orphan Queen reminds me of what I didn’t like about the Incarnate books, particularly on the characters being lacking. I think I’ll pass on this series. Thanks for the review!
I never read the Incarnate books though I’ve always meant to. Bummer you had issues with those characters.
I just bought this this week, and all I’m hearing about is this cliffhanger. I am definitely terrified of that. Sorry about the character connections – that always makes books so much harder for me to get through!
Yeah, Zoey– fear the cliff-hanger. It was evil (but in a great way? I love being tortured, haha)
I still haven’t read her first series, but this does sound like an interesting read! Sorry to hear that you didn’t exactly love it! I want to check it out though, because I’m trying to get more into fantasy and maybe starting with something lighter would be best.
Great review! 🙂
This was my first of hers to read and I enjoyed it but yeah, it didn’t blow me away as I’d hoped. I hope you enjoy it and will connect deeply to the characters.
I’m glad you (mostly) enjoyed this book! It’s too bad that you thought the characters were lacking. I admit, Black Knife wasn’t the most original character, but he reminded me of Zorro! I looooove Zorro. And Antonio Banderas. Hehe. Anyway.
Fabulous review, Kristen!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
You are right! Black Knife was totally Zorro 🙂 I’ll be reading the next one though for sure. I might have had my expectations too high with all those amazing early reviews.
I simply adored this one! I’m sorry to hear you couldn’t connect with the characters because when that happens you just don’t enjoy the book as much.
Great review, Kristen!
I’m so glad you loved this one so much! I think my expectations might have been too high? I liked the characters but no real love.
Aw, awesome review Kristen. <3 But aw, I'm sorry you had some issues with this book sweetie 🙁 I loved it a whole lot, but I do understand why you had some issues with it. But yay for still liking it a lot 😀 Thank you for sharing your thoughts sweetie. <3 I hope you'll love the novellas more 😀
Maybe the novellas will help me love the characters and help me with the next book! I’ll have to look into that 🙂
I’m definitely intrigued by the look at magic in this world. How Wil has always loved her ability, even though she’s had to hide it. And how it’s possible that the same ability that has saved her many times, might be what is destroying her world. It’s a fascinating question. I’m very curious to see where Jodi takes this story in the future. I agree, evil, evil ending!
Such an evil ending! I will read the next book for sure. I’m curious where it’ll go.
I am glad that you were able to enjoy this one! I know a lot of people were super excited to try it. But I doubt I am going to pick it up because I was never too interested, and being a character driven reader I know I want there to be a bit more to them.